Flashing



E. W. BYERS Jan. 18, 1938.

FLASHING .ZZZ/GTWI z wifiyers,

Filed April 17, 1937 more materials, one of which is a sheet metal, Another object is to provide a flashing consisting sheet material, preferably copper, having an end place.

Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The use of metal flashings is well known. It is also known to use flashings consisting of fabrics or a composition of fabric with metal. Metal fiashings heretofore in use have suffered from the disadvantage that they are diflicult to hold in This is particularly true of metal flashings adapted to be inserted into old walls, as distinguished from through-wall fiashings in new buildings. Many of the fabric flashings heretofore provided are unsuitable because they wear out too quickly. Thus, fabric flashings in which the fabric itself is imbedded into the wall tend to wear out and tear apart at the angle where they enter the wall. In addition to the foregoing disadvantages, many flashings require auxiliary anchoring devices in order to hold them in place. The use of such devices is inconvenient and undesirable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved flashings which are readily anchored in place either in new walls or in old walls and which do not involve the use of auxiliary anchoring devices. A further object is the provision of a new and improved type of flashing consisting of a combination of two or of a sheet metal joined to a fabric material in such a manner that only the metal is inserted into the raggle or wall and the fabric is joined v to the metal in such a way as to cause the mini- 'mum amount of wear.

An additional object is the provision of a flashing of the type just described consisting of a combination of metal and fabric in which the fabric is a heavier type of fabric than ordinarily used in flashings and is not adapted to be readily bent and inserted into a wall. A still further object is the provision of a new and improved continuous metal-fabric flashing in which the fabric is joined to the metal without the aid of auxiliary tying or fastening devices and without the necessity for bending the fabric. Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

In accordance with the invention the new type of flashing herein described comprises a metal portion angularly bent at an acute angle and terminating in a series of teeth. These teeth are cut from the metal, forming a continuation thereof, and are preferably in the form of a continuous row of teeth, although they may be spaced at intervals. If desired, groups of two or more teeth may be spaced at intervals. This end portion containing the teeth is preferably, although not necessarily, curved in such a manner that the teeth engage the mortar or other material thereabout, thus preventing both longitudinal and lateral movement of the flashing. The degree of curvature of the anchoring device should preferably be such as to give a springing action to assist in engaging the teeth.

While the anchoring device described above is adapted to be used with an all-metal flashing, the preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a flashing formed from a continuous metal sheet material having at one .end an anchoring device as described above and inserted into a raggle or wall and joined outside of or along the wall to a water-repellent fabric material, preferably a bituminous coated fibrous material having a granular inert mineral surface, for example, a slate-surfaced felt. These two materials are preferably joined in such a way that the waterrepellent fibrous material underlies a portion of the sheet metal so that said fibrous material is not exposed at its upper edge and lies flat along the wall. The joining of these two materials is preferably effected by means of pressed-in metal portions extending through slits in the fabric material, preferably transverse slits or cuts, in a direction away from the normal pull of the fabric material. Thus, when the fabric material is hanging vertically, as would usually be the case in a roofing construction, the pressed-in metal portions extend through the fabric material and upwardly and the two materials are pressed or clamped together. Such a juncture between the two materials avoids the necessity of sharply bending the fabric material, which is practically impossible in the case of a very heavy material such as a slate-surfaced felt, and at the same time it is unnecessary to employ auxiliary tying or fastening devices.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification in the light of the accompanying. drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing the preferred type of flashing in place in a roofing construction;

Figure 2 is a front view of the preferred type of flashing;

Figure 3 is a side sectional view along'the line 3-3 of Figure 2, with parts broken away; and

Figure 4 is a front View of a modified form of flashing illustrating a different arrangement of teeth in the anchoring portion.

The flashing illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a metal sheet material l having an end portion l2 angularly bent at an acute angle and terminating in a series of teeth I4. As shown, the sheetmetal material I0 is joined to a Water-repellent fibrous material It by means of pressed-in metal portions l8,.20. The pressed-in metal portion l8 passes through a transverse slit or cut in the fibrous material at point 22, and is bent upwardly along the back of said material opposite the direction of pull. The metal and fibrous materials are preferably clamped tightly together in a manner such that the metal grips or bites into the fiber, as illustrated, and forms a unitary, composite structure with no substantial projections at the point of juncture. No auxiliary tying or fastening devices are required.

In Figure 1, the composite flashing is shown in place in a roofing construction. As shown, the metal portion 24 is inserted into a raggle 2B, lying along the bottom thereof, with end portion l2 turned upwardly and curved from acute angle 28, whereby teeth l4 engage the top of raggle 26. After the flashing is in place, pressure gum caulking 30, mortar, a bituminous material or the like, is forced into raggle 26.

The roof structure proper is subject to considerable variation and the type of roof shown in the drawing is merely illustrative. As shown, the top of the roof deck or insulation 32 underlies composition roofing material 34, for example, a bituminous roofing composition. This latter, in turn, underlies a base flashing 36 which may be of any suitable construction ordinarily employed for this purpose. The fibrous portion I 6 of the unitary composite flashing is adapted to lie vertically along the wall or base flashing, and preferably terminates at or near angle 38 in sheet metal portion In of the flashing. It will be observed that no portion of the fibrous material I6 is bent and the upper end thereof underlies the metal portion of the composite flashing. This arrangement avoids the disadvantages often found in fabric flashings which enter the Wall at or near the point 38, because such flashings tend to wear out at this point. Moreover, it is practically impossible with a fabric flashing which is bent at this point to employ a material therefor such as slate-surfaced felt which is relatively heavy and which tends to break when bent at a sharp angle. It is an important aspect of this invention to provide a composite, unitary, continuous flashing containing as one component thereof a bituminous coated fibrous material having a granular inert mineral surface, such, for example, as slate-surfaced felt. I

In Figure 3 the springing action of the end portion or anchoring device I2 is illustrated by the positions a, a, the former showing the position of the end portion l2 and the teeth l4 before, and the latter after, insertion into the raggle.

The modified form of flashing illustrated in Figure 4 is similar to the flashing shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 except that the teeth 40 are not continuous throughout the entire width of the flashing. Otherwise the method of fastening the metal to the fibrous portion of the flashing, shown by the pressed-in portions 42, 44, is the same.

The flashings shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be joined laterally in any suitable manner, for instance, by means of a soft copper joint cover, not shown, overlapping the intersections between any two flashings and coextensive longitudinally with both the metal portion and the fabric portion of the composite flashing. This metal joint cover may pass from the teeth I 4 along the intersection between two flashings and between the metal and fabric portions, finally being turned up on the back of the bottom of the fabric portion, for instance, at point 46. Any other suitable method of joining the flashings together may be utilized.

It will be understood that numerous variations may be made without departing from the invention. For instance, the anchoring device comprising the turned up end portion l2 and teeth [4 may be applied to an all-metal flashing, e. g., a single-piece copper flashing. As before stated, the end portion 12 need not be curved but may be straight, although a curvature in a direction away from the horizontal portion 24 is desirable in order to assist the springing action of the metal and the engagement of the teeth with the raggle. The dimensions of the flashing may ob viously vary very widely, the distance of penetration into the wall being determined by the position of the angle at point 38, which is preferably rounded.

The means of fastening the fibrous sheet material [6 to the metal sheet material In may be varied. For instance, the edge 20 does not necessarily have to bite into the fibrous material, as shown, although it is desirable that the two materials, that is, the metal material and the fibrous material, be clamped together in such a way as to be relatively immovable with respect to each other. The horizontal slits 22 are preferred, although if desired a vertical arrangement may be employed. Vertical slits have a tendency to tear the fabric or other fibrous material.

The metal sheet material may be copper, galvanized iron, brass, bronze, aluminum or other corrosion resistant metals.

The fibrous material forming a part of the composite flashing may be a paper base, cloth, heavy felt, burlap or other fibrous fabric impregnated or coated with a water-repellent material, for example, asphalt, coal tar pitch or other bituminous substance. The preferred material is a heavy felt impregnated with asphalt, coal tar pitch or the like and surfaced on the wearing surface with granulated slate or other inert material, preferably a slate surfaced felt weighing from about 40 to 110 pounds, or more specifically about 90 pounds, per hundred square feet.

The flashing herein described can be inserted into any kind or size of raggle such as a raked out brick joint of any size in an existing brick wall, a dry joint left in a new masonry wall for this purpose or a raggle cut into a new or existing concrete or stone wall. The flashing can be built into a new wall if so desired. Ordinarily, the flashing is forced into the raggle with the aid of some wide flat bladed instrument such as a thin bar or a wide flat-edged chisel until it has reached its proper position, then the raggle is filled with some plastic material such as a good caulking compound inserted by hand or preferably by the gun method. Before the flashing is in place it may be spot mopped if so desired, or otherwise adhesively secured, at the bottom edge or at such intervals as may be thought necessary to assist in making the bottom edge more secure and tight to the vertical surface.

The composite unitary flashing herein described can be used to good advantage in any place in new or existing work where a flashing may be required, more easily and safely than other types of flashings now in use. It has all the advantages of metal flashings and is considerably less expensive. By virtue of the small surface of sheet metal exposed to the weather the expansion and contraction due to temperature changes is considerably less than that oocurring in an all sheet metal flashing, thereby avoiding the constant movement in the metal which causes all sheet metal flashings to work loose in the raggle and eventually leak or come out altogether.

The anchoring device of my flashing eliminates the necessity of wedges or other devices for locking the flashing into the wall. It also eliminates specially designed strips that are often built into the wall to receive flashings. All that is required is a partially dry joint left in a brick or stone wall, a raked out joint in an existing brick or stone wall, a small fillet strip placed in the forms for a. new concrete wall or a small, comparatively shallow, raggle cut into an existing concrete wall. Where the flashing is forced into the raggle the curved portion containing the teeth is pressed downward at the top surface of the raggle. Once the teeth have passed the top outside edge of the raggle the springing action of the curved metal forces the teeth up against the top surface of the raggle where they engage themselves into any pores or other irregularities of the surface and resist any effort to pull the flashing out of the raggle. W'hile resisting any outward movement of the flashing, the arrangement of the teeth is such as to permit the very slight sidewise movement that may be necessary to accommodate the very slight movement due to expansion and contraction.

Where special metals are used for decorating purposes and a flashing is required, the felt or fabric can be omitted and the flashing made of the same decorative metals even to the extent of forming a part of the design. The self locking feature of the flashing reduces installation labor costs greatly. Furthermore, it can be installed very quickly.

Certain fabric flashings are on the market and their weakness has been proven to be along the point at which they enter into the wall. The bituminous substance wears out or evaporates along this line leaving only the base material which will not exclude water and may become rotten or torn. The preferred type of flashing of the present invention has metal along this line which will endure for thelife of the metal, resist water and stand any reasonable amount of mechanical abuse.

The manner in which the fibrous material is attached to the sheet metal permits the felt or fabric tofit tightly against the wall or base flashings. Also flashings can be carried to a point much higher than is usual above horizontal surfaces with but very slight additional expense because of the cheapness of the felt or fabric which forms the vertical surface as compared to metal.

The shape of the flashing is such that it will nes well for economical shipment and can be factory made in standard lengths and easily crated. Corners and laps can be quickly and easily made with four inch wide strips of plain sheet metal and aside from the insertion of the flashing in the raggles, this is the only fieldwork necessary to make a complete, permanently watertight installation.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A flashing comprising a metal sheet material having an end portion angularly bent at an acute angle and terminating in a. series of teeth, said teeth being adapted to engage a wall surface and initially hold said flashing in place.

2. A flashing comprising a metal sheet material having an end portion angularly bent at an acute angle and curved away from the metal, and terminating in a series of teeth.

3. A composite flashing comprising a continuous metal sheet material having at one end an anchoring device and joined near the other end to a water-proof fabric material, said anchoring device comprising an acute angular bend in the metal sheet material which curves upwardly and terminates in teeth.

4. A composite flashing comprising a metal sheet material having an angular bend therein, one side of said angular bend being adapted to be placed substantially horizontally in a wall, raggle or the like, and. terminating inan anchoring device comprising an acute angular bend, with teeth formed in the end thereof, and the other side of said angle being adapted to lie substantially vertically along a wall and being attached to a water-repellent material.

5. A unitary composite flashing consisting of a continuous metal sheet material having a substantially uniform bend therein, one side of said bend being adapted to lie substantially vertically adjacent a wall, or the like, and joined to a water-repellent fibrous material by means of pressed in metal portions extending upwardly through slits in the fibrous material and clamped thereto, and the other side of said bend being adapted to be placed substantially horizontally in a wall, raggle or the like, and terminating in an anchoring device consisting of an acute angular bend in the end portion of the metal curved upwardly with a continuous row of teeth formed in the end thereof.

6. A unitary composite flashing consisting of a continuous copper sheet material having a substantially uniform bend therein, one side of said bend being adapted to lie substantially vertically adjacent a wall, or the like, and joined to a slate surfaced felt by means of pressed in metal portions extending upwardly through slits in the fibrous material and clamped thereto, and the other side of said bend being adapted to be placed substantially horizontally in a wall, raggle or the like, and terminating in an anchoring device consisting of an acute angular bend in the end portion of the metal curved upwardly with a continuous row of teeth formed in the end thereof.

'7. In a wall construction, the combination of a wall, a raggle in said wall, and a flashing comprising a metal sheet material having a portion thereof in said raggle and an end portion angularly bent at an acute angle and terminating in a series of teeth which engage the walls of said raggle and are adapted initially to hold said flashing in place.

8. In a wall construction, the combination of a wall, a raggle in said wall, and a composite flashing comprising a metal sheet material having an angular bend therein, one side of said angular bend being adapted to be placed substantially horizontally in said raggle and terminating in an anchoring device. comprising an acute angular bend with teeth formed in the end thereof engaging the top of said raggle, and the other side of said angle being adapted to lie substantially vertically along said wall and being attached to a water repellent material.

EDWIN W. BYERS. 

